Treating Some Common Eye Injuries

Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, some more serious than others. Some might necessitate emergency action and immediate care by an optician, while others can be treated at home. Follow this guide to common eye injuries, to plan out your next move following an eye emergency. Don't forget that common sense safety measures such as using safety goggles or glasses may be the best way to maintain safe vision.

An example of an injury that should be treated seriously is a corneal abrasion (scratched eye). It can lead to serious damage in a short amount of time and potentially result in vision loss. Scratches are commonly caused by a poke in the eye, or rubbing the eye when there is sand in it. Because a scratch can make your eye susceptible to fungal infection it's very important to visit your eye doctor or an urgent care office. The best advice for a scratched eye is to cover it loosely and to see your optometrist right away to ensure it is isn't infected. Touching the eye will only cause more harm and patching the eye provides the ideal environment for bacteria.

Another common eye injury is chemical exposure. It can be frightening when your are splashed in the eye by a potentially dangerous substance. The first thing to figure out is what substance touched your eye. A chemical's basic makeup is the most essential factor. While acids can cause considerable swelling and pain, they can be rinsed out pretty easily. However, base or alkali chemicals can be more serious but may not seem so since they don't cause as much immediate stinging or swelling as acids.

Though it is sometimes unpleasant to anticipate a serious eye injury, it's suggested to know what to do in serious situations. By following this guide you can rest assured that you'll be ready to handle most common eye issues. Of course, extra safety measures can help you avoid this type of injuries from the get go so speak to your eye doctor about preventative eye care !